This exciting mission organised by UK Trade & Investment experts based in Japan provides a unique opportunity for UK-based games firms to understand the Japanese Games and Digital Media industry, attending networking events, raise awareness and visiting the Tokyo Games Show.

What’s included in the mission?

• Game of the show by ehnmarkPre mission assistance and advice, including a one to one session with a UK based sector expert, a teleconference with the team in Japan, and, just before the trip, a pre mission briefing for all participants.
• A round table workshop with invited guests from Japanese digital games/content companies businesses including leading publishers/developers for console and mobile games. Banks, game analysts, online games, venture capital, and licensing experts will also be invited to participate.
• A Network reception with Japanese digital games/content/media companies at the British Embassy in Tokyo: 50 - 60 guests from Japanese industry.
• Exhibitor Pass for Tokyo Game Show(TGS) on Business and Consumer Days
• Your Business profile translated and displayed at UKTI stand at TGS. Mission brochures will be produced and handed out to Japanese contacts at TGS.
• Access to meeting space adjacent to the TGS venue that is dedicated to mission participants
• Access to the TGS International Reception
• Pre-mission publicity in Japan through our e-newsletter, Embassy website and the TGS website, with 1-1 meetings with Japanese companies that show interest at the TGS.
• If you have an interesting story, media interviews can be arranged upon request with Japanese industry newspapers/magazines
• A post mission debriefing to discuss experiences and next steps

The cost of participating in this mission is £750.

Additional support including bespoke meeting arrangement service and ongoing advice that we can provide is also available as part of the UKTI’s Overseas Market Introduction Service (OMIS).

For more information and to register, visit the website.

I am a Masters student studying Digital Media at the University of Sussexin the UK. I am interviewing video game workers who are currently working in the industry to understand how they create a professional identity for themselves, and if they think their role and interests in video gaming will change in the next years as the industry changes.

I am very keen to interview games workers from working in studios across the UK. The interviews can take place in the form of an interview by phone, skype or email, or can be carried out by questionnaire. Is this something you would be interested in participating in, or possibly know of a contact who may be able to help further?

A word about my background, before returning to academic study, I worked for Sony Computer Entertainment Europe for 13 years managing the repair service companies across the European region, working under Mike Nabarro. After this time, I have taken a new path and I am now writing a dissertation which explores how the world of video games will change with the development of direct download distribution for large immersive interactive entertainment, and with the permanent connection to a pervasive network.

I hope you can help with my project and look forward to hearing from you.

kind regards,

Mobile has evolved rapidly in recent years. The launch of the Apple iPhone has created a new emphasis on platform specific market places such as Apple App Store and Android Market. Mobile Operators are demolishing the walled garden and are more open to commerce that is off portal than ever before. openMIC Mobile Innovation Camp
explores these recent developments and arms the attendee with the knowledge and skills to execute ideas for mobile apps (Symbian, iPhone, Android) and take them
to market. The attendee will also learn how to create mobile web applications that utilise the new openness of the operator. In the afternoon attendees will join teams to develop application ideas into a tactical plan with possible investment to develop it further as an outcome. 5th in a series of un-conference for discussion, debate and development new mobile applications and mobile web services

Who should attend: DIY developers, ideas people, operators, innovators -> anyone passionate and interested in open group development of new mobile apps for commercial or social use.

To join the openMIC Network register @ http://openmicamp.ning.com/ and to register your interest in attending this event email:

GameHorizon and Game Republic is to host an international self-publishing event in York on 8th April 2010.

The ‘State of Independence’ conference will focus on self-publishing.  Speakers already confirmed include Charles Cecil (Revolution), Paul Farley (Tag Games), Patrick O’Lunaigh, (N Dreams), Joe Wee (Chillingo) and Ed Vaizey, MP (Shadow Minister for Culture) – with more big names to follow.

There has been a resurgence of the independent video games developer over few years with developers looking to self-publish via digital distribution routes to break from the traditional console value chain to gain more control of their IP and finances.  Indies are smaller and quicker and if they move fast can lead the way! 

Key areas to be covered at State of Independence will be:

• Different routes to market and new business models
• How to fund your game
• Marketing your own games – including PR, viral marketing and customer service
• Networking with other games industry professionals
• Learning from successful companies

As well as giving developers a greater understanding of the brave new world of digital self-publishing and advice on how to succeed, State of Independence will be an ideal opportunity to network with other independents, investors and buyers.

For more information and to book your place, visit the website: www.state-of-independence.net

If you are interested in receiving this brief, please let know as soon as possible.

This opportunity is open to the whole of the UK Games Industry, not just TIGA members!

If you made it last year, you’ll know that our quiz night was hugely successful and lots of fun. This year, we’re doing it again and it’s being held at the very lovely Punter on Pound Hill (just around the corner from Bridge Street - next to Kettle’s Yard).

Get your teams together and join us for a festive night of competition, quizzing, food and lovely, lovely beer. Register your teams here.

Download the poster (pdf) and pin it up in your offices!

The Punter:

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Qualcomm is inviting games industry executives to an exclusive roundtable discussion and luncheon at the inaugural Innovation Qualcomm event in London on November 16th.

Join Qualcomm for unique culinary delights and a relaxed open exchange between Qualcomm and a select group of your peers to discuss and give input on Qualcomm software initiatives, preview robust development tools for advanced graphics development and gain insights on commercial opportunities through differentiated experiences.

Qualcomm chips are powering the majority of all 3G devices commercially available today, and your innovation in application development is key to realising the extensive power and functionality these chips enable. This is your chance to influence their roadmap and join them in shaping the future of mobile, one application at a time.

Register here.

GameHorizon is celebrating our innovative British Games industry and is inviting games industry professionals to join them at the Best of British conference on Wednesday 28th October, Kings Place, London. There will be a series of talks covering a mix of topics relating to the British games industry. Some will highlight everything that makes the UK’s games industry great, looking at examples of great British games and the benefits of being based in the country. Others will investigate the serious problems facing the UK’s industry at present, and will seek ways to solve them.

Hear from some of the new companies who are shaping the future landscape of games. For example the “Darwina + playthrough” session will see Mark Morris MD of Introversion talk about the benefits of being a British independent studio and how they have managed to transform from a small time indie to a professional console developer. Mark will be talking about the influences of their latest and most exciting game Darwina+ which is due to be released on XBLA later this year, attend and you will see the exclusive first UK play-through of the game

Come join the GameHorizon team and over 100 delegates from the games industry at the ‘Best of British’ conference and enjoy great talks, great networking opportunities and also a great after conference party.

Confirmed speaker and panellists include:

• Paul Wedgewood: MD, Splash Damage Games
• Rick Gibson: Games Investor Consulting
• Paul Farley: MD, Tag Games
• Simon Seefeldt: Jagex Games
• Charles Cecil: MD, Revolution Studios
• Richard Wilson: CEO, Tiga
• Mark Morris: MD, Introversion
• Chris Delay: Creative Director
• Ian Baverstock: CEO, Kuju

To book your place, please register at http://events.gamehorizon.net. 

Computer games is a large industry employing over 800 developers in the region as well as artists, writers designers and many others.

The games industry group, Games Eden and University Campus, Suffolk are presenting an event at University Campus, Suffolk. The event is to introduce students to the industry. The organisers wish to invite members of the games and related industries to attend and meet students.

Speakers include:

Martin Deacon, Senior Developer at Sony - Talking on the games industry
John McMillan, Chairman of Collaborate2Innovate, Head of McMillan Technology - How to start a company

Register for the event here.

The beta site has launched to allow like-minded people to communicate and collaborate. They aim to bring together leading thinkers and practitioners from the UK and beyond, to share the latest technology insights and find ways to maximise potential within the creative industries.

The KTN provides 14 Beacon Projectsto be undertaken over the next 2 years, exploring the opportunities & challenges faced by the Creative Industries in relation to technology focused innovation. Each Beacon will produce a vision for the future that will help guide the strategy and direction of organisations and business for future success. They cover a range of themes and raise questions pertaining to all the creative industry disciplines including art, architecture, design, fashion, advertising, publishing, and video games. The first 3 projects are underway – so register now to get involved.

Interviews are planned to take place in the first half of October 2009 with training and induction shortly after. Appointment will be via a provision for services contract.

If you think you have the required knowledge, experience and skillset then please send your detailed CV to David Wilkinson – Project Manager and Head of Business – Screen East at and include an explanation of how you could contribute to Screen East investing in its second successful portfolio.

Skillset Required:

• Team player
• Excellent communication skills including report writing and verbal
• Ability to pick winners
• Negotiation
• Producer/Executive Producer/Commissioner
• Timekeeping – particular meeting reporting deadlines
• Commercial production modelling
• Act as an investor

Knowledge Required:

• Sector specific sales, distribution and production knowledge (specialism in one area)
• Contract law
• Business models (sector specific)
• Investment recoupment modelling (sector specific)

Experience Required (must be within last 5 years):

• Produced, co-produced, executive produced or commissioned a major digital production